Mongolian Pork

Juicy, tender, and with a kick of heat, this Mongolian pork is an easy weeknight dinner that’s better than takeout. It’s rich, tangy, and loaded with fragrant garlic and ginger.

 

Mongolian beef is one of the most popular takeout food orders around. But it turns out you can make an even better version of it at home using pork! This 20-minute Mongolian pork recipe has juicy strips of seared pork, coated in a sweet and spicy sauce that’s loaded with soy sauce and vinegar. 

This comforting takeout-style recipe is packed with garlic and ginger, and garnished with green onions, so it’s super fresh. Served over a bed of fluffy white rice, this is the ultimate comfort food. 

Why You’ll Love This Mongolian Pork Recipe

This is one of those recipes that I make all the time, on weeknights, weekends, or when hosting. Here’s why you’re going to love this recipe, too.

• Quick and easy. This is a simple and straightforward recipe. It only takes 20 minutes to make, and the instructions are very easy. It won’t leave your kitchen a mess, so it’s a great dinner to make after work. 
• Better than takeout. If you’re a fan of Panda Express Mongolian pork, then you will love this recipe. It’s just like the Panda Express version … except fresher and more flavorful! 
• Affordable. I love to order takeout, but it’s gotten so expensive these days. Not only is this Mongolian pork juicier, tangier, and more delicious than takeout versions, but it’s substantially cheaper, too. 
• Serve it in any way. I usually make Mongolian pork to eat as a complete meal. But this is also a perfect side dish whenever you’re eating Chinese food. 

What Is Mongolian Pork?

Mongolian pork is a variation of Mongolian beef, which is a common Taiwanese dish. It’s made out of strips of juicy and tender seared meat, which are finished in a thick and velvety brown sauce that’s a tiny bit spicy, a little bit sour, and fairly sweet. 

Recipe Ingredients

Here are all the ingredients you’ll need to make this better-than-takeout Mongolian pork recipe. Make sure to check out the recipe card at the end of the page to see the exact amounts for each of the ingredients.

• Pork tenderloin – The pork needs to be trimmed and then cut into thin strips.
• Cornstarch – Cornstarch seals the pork so that it stays juicy, and it also helps thicken the sauce.
• Sesame oil – You can use regular or toasted oil.
• Garlic
• Ginger
• Soy sauce – use low sodium to cut back on the salt
• Brown sugar – Light or dark brown sugar will work for this recipe. Dark brown sugar has a more rich and intense flavor.
• Rice vinegar – If you don’t have rice vinegar, you can use white wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar.
• Chili garlic paste – This ingredient isn’t super spicy, so it will just give your recipe a mild kick.
• Cooked white rice – You can use brown rice if you prefer, but white rice is best for this recipe.
• Sesame seeds – This is a garnish.
• Green onions – Scallions are used as a garnish in this recipe. You can use the whole green onion or just the green part. 

How to Make Mongolian Pork

Here’s how to make this 20-minute sweet-and-sour Mongolian pork recipe. It’s so easy!

• Toss the meat with cornstarch. Add the pork strips to a bowl, and toss them in cornstarch until they’re well coated.
• Cook the meat. Heat the sesame oil in a skillet over high heat, then add the park. Cook until brown, about 3-4 minutes.

• Add the aromatics. Add the garlic and ginger to the skillet and cook until browned, which will take about 3-4 minutes. 
• Make the sauce. While the pork, garlic, and ginger cook, mix together the soy sauce, brown sugar, rice vinegar, and garlic paste. 
• Add the sauce. Pour the sauce into the skillet and bring it to a boil.
• Cook. Keep cooking the Mongolian pork until the meat is fully cooked and the sauce starts to thicken. This should take 3-4 minutes. 

• Serve. Serve the pork over white rice and garnish with sesame seeds and green onion. 

Tips for Success

Here are some simple tricks and tips to help you make the best Mongolian pork.

• Really brown the pork. One of the most important parts of this recipe is browning the meat. Browning pork is how you get the most flavor out of the meat. Make sure the skillet is very hot before adding the meat, and don’t stir the meat too much. 
• Use a wok. If you have a wok in your kitchen, now’s a great time to use it. Woks retain heat well, so they’re perfectly designed for a recipe like Mongolian pork. 
• Toast the sesame seeds. If you want to add an earthier and nuttier flavor to this recipe, use toasted sesame seeds. You can buy toasted sesame seeds, or toast them in a dry skillet over medium heat for a minute or so. 
• How to peel ginger. Here’s an easy tip for peeling ginger: use a spoon! Run the spoon across the ginger to remove the peel quickly and efficiently. 

Serving Suggestions

One of my favorite ways to serve Mongolian pork is family style, with lots of other Asian dishes. Here are a few recipes that I think go really well with this tender and sweet pork.

• Asian Napa Cabbage Slaw
• Instant Pot Jasmine Rice
• Asian Salad
• Air Fryer Egg Rolls

How to Store & Reheat Leftovers

This is a really easy recipe to store and reheat. Here’s everything you need to know.

• Fridge. Keep the pork in an airtight container and it will last in the fridge for 3 days. For best results, store the pork and the rice separately.
• Reheat. The best way to reheat Mongolian pork is on the stove over medium heat until warmed through. You can also reheat it in the microwave in 30-second increments.
• Freezer. To freeze this recipe, make sure the meat is completely cooled, then place it in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw or defrost entirely before reheating. 

More Easy Pork Recipes

If you love pork as much as I do, then you’ve got to try these easy recipes.

• Green Chili Pork
• French Onion Pork Chops
• Pork Carnitas
• Pork Stir-Fry
• Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin

Continue to Content

Yield: 4 servings

Mongolian Pork

Print

This tender and juicy Mongolian pork is a quick and easy takeout favorite that you can make at home. It's sweet, sour, a littly spicy, and a perfect comfort food.

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes

Total Time 20 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 pound pork tenderloin, trimmed and cut into thin strips
• 1/4 cup cornstarch
• 2 Tablespoons sesame oil
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 Tablespoons fresh ginger, minced
• 1/2 cup soy sauce
• 1/3 cup brown sugar
• 1 Tablespoon rice vinegar
• 1 Tablespoon chili garlic paste
• 2 cups cooked white rice
• 1 Tablespoon sesame seeds
• 2 green onions, thinly sliced

Instructions

1. Add the pork strips and cornstarch to a bowl and toss together until the meat is well coated.
2. Heat a large skillet over high heat, then add the sesame oil. Swirl to coat the pan.
3. When the oil is hot, add the pork and brown it for 3-4 minutes.
4. Add the garlic and ginger, and cook for 3-4 more minutes, until browned on the outside.
5. While the meat, garlic, and ginger cook, whisk together the soy sauce, vinegar, chili garlic paste, and brown sugar.
6. Pour the sauce over the pork and bring it to a boil.
7. Cook the meat and the sauce for 3-4 minutes until the pork is fully cooked and the sauce is thick.
8. Serve the pork over warm rice and garnish with sesame seeds and green onions.

Notes

• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 days or in the freezer for 3 months.
• Reheat on the stove over medium heat, or in the microwave in 30-second increments.

Nutrition Information

Yield

4

Serving Size

1
Amount Per Serving Calories 467Total Fat 14gSaturated Fat 3gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 10gCholesterol 84mgSodium 1882mgCarbohydrates 49gFiber 1gSugar 15gProtein 35g

Nutrition Disclaimer: All information presented on this site is intended for informational purposes only. I am not a certified nutritionist and any nutritional information shared on dinnersdishesanddesserts.com should only be used as a general guideline.

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a picture on social media!

I created a fun group on Facebook,and I would love for you to join us! It’s a place where you can
share YOUR favorite recipes, ask questions, and see what’s new at Dinners, Dishes and Desserts (so that you never miss a new recipe)!

Be sure to follow me on Instagram and
tag #dinnersdishes so I can see all the wonderful DINNERS, DISHES, AND DESSERTS
recipes YOU make!

Be sure to follow me on my social media, so you
never miss a post!

Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram 

Did you know there is a Dinners,
Dishes, and Desserts SHOP? Lots of different E-Books for sale. Or you can buy me a
coffee to say thanks!

.

• Author
• Recent Posts

Follow me

Erin S

Welcome to Dinners, Dishes, & Desserts where my love of food meets my busy life. My name is Erin and I’m a casual home cook who loves to feed people. On this blog, you’ll find hundreds of quick and easy recipes made mostly from scratch. My days are spent in the kitchen, creating new recipes to share with family and friends.

Follow me

Latest posts by Erin S (see all)

• Chicken Fries - April 26, 2024
• Pulled Pork Sliders - April 24, 2024
• Avocado Fries - April 23, 2024